Global oil markets are jittery with US president George Bush refusing to rule out a preemptive strike against Iran's nuclear facilities. Domestic political compulsions prevent the government from hiking prices. How long can this last?

Dr Singh has so far successfully dealt with Natwar Singh and Mani Shankar Aiyar but responding to Arjun Singh's draft Bill is not going to be that easy as his idea is also one whose time has perhaps come!

The spectre of Naxalism haunts over 150 districts in the country, affecting nearly 40 per cent of its geographical area and 35 per cent of its population. Orissa, Chhatisgarh and Jharkhand need urgent attention if double-digit growth dreams are to be

The PM finding "merit in moving towards fuller capital account convertibility" has predictably evoked knee-jerk opposition from the Left, but it certainly signals the commitment of the PM to a much awaited big-ticket reform

Is the Iran-Pakistan-India pipeline project very much alive and kicking? Is there a tacit approval from the US? Is it all still a pipe-dream? Not if you go by the trilateral discussions held in Tehran...

Aiming for a perfect 10? For all the official talk regarding the feasibility, there is no particular virtue or machismo associated with double-digit growth, instead there is the dangerous widening of rich-poor, urban-rural divides and income inequali

The growth may have helped him to avoid levying new taxes in an election year, but the complete abdication of economic reforms altogether is bound to have its impact on medium-term growth prospects of the Indian economy.

With the electoral compulsions of fighting five important state assembly elections looming large, and a crucial Left support, the FM must reconcile the irreconcilable to deliver a budget for the aam aadmi. But he seems confident. What gives?